Presbyterian Children's Society

The Presbyterian Children's Society, established in 1866 in Belfast as the Presbyterian Orphan Society, is a Christian charity rooted in Presbyterian values of compassion and practical generosity. Initially focused on orphans facing poverty, it has evolved to support children and young people up to age 23 from Presbyterian families across Ireland experiencing financial hardship from bereavement, illness, disability, unemployment, or low income. Its mission emphasizes direct financial aid, pastoral care via local ministers, and holistic family wellbeing, helping over 870 children in 450 families annually through more than 200 congregations, with a 150-year track record of relational, faith-based intervention.

It funds regular quarterly grants for basic needs like subsistence and education, exceptional one-off grants for acute crises (e.g., sudden bereavement or illness), and small awards to Presbyterian congregational groups for children's clubs, inclusion programs, and church holidays. Support targets families under pastoral care, prioritizing poverty alleviation, debt reduction, and community integration, with grants paid directly to families via ministers.

Eligibility is strictly limited to Presbyterian families and congregations on the island of Ireland; no external charities, non-Presbyterian groups, or unsolicited applications are accepted—nominations must come from Presbyterian Church in Ireland ministers using official forms, with income thresholds and educational status verified. Typical grants range from £132 per child quarterly to £500–£2,000 for emergencies; applications are rolling, with quarterly payments (March, June, September, December) and rapid processing for crises. Distinctively, it excludes core costs, capital projects, or general schemes, focusing solely on clergy-mediated direct aid within its denomination for unmatched pastoral responsiveness and confidentiality.